Labour / Le Travail

Vol. 92 (2023)
Articles

Interprovincial Unionization and the Environment

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  • Anupam Das,
  • Ian Hudson,
  • Mark Hudson
Anupam Das
Mount Royal University
Ian Hudson
University of Manitoba
Mark Hudson
University of Manitoba
cover of Labour/Le Travail, Volume 92
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52975/llt.2023v92.004

Published 2023-11-10

Keywords

  • unionization,
  • environment,
  • pollution,
  • climate,
  • Canada

How to Cite

Das, A., Hudson, I., & Hudson, M. (2023). Interprovincial Unionization and the Environment. Labour Le Travail, 92, 53–80. https://doi.org/10.52975/llt.2023v92.004
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Abstract

The relationship between labour movements and the environment has been the subject of considerable debate but little empirical research. Using panel data for Canadian provinces between 2001 and 2019, this article investigates the relationship between unionization rates and two measures of environmental quality: greenhouse gas emissions and total particulate matter pollution. We find that higher unionization rates are associated with lower emissions for both these measures. This finding suggests that stronger labour organizations do not lead to detrimental environmental outcomes.

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